Take my moments and my days...: Day 69

I was out of the house all day today, and it was great! It was one of the few chances I have had to really experience what it's like to live in Dar es Salaam. Living in a group of 12, it's hard to go anywhere without turning it into a big event. But today, it was just the four of us girls again and we met so many locals who were so friendly and welcoming, and even offered to teach us Kiswahili! We walked around the market, looked through the shops at Slipway, ate lunch by the water, got permission to walk around the shopping centre with the cappuccino mugs (we're regulars! aha), and ended it with a few hours at Boona Baana. I am going to miss this place so much - the smells (even the bad ones...they are part of what makes DSM unique), the sights, the faces, the language, the culture, and especially the kids.

Even if you are having a bad day or feeling tired or wanting to complain, its hard to frown when you are around the kids who come to Boona Baana. Today we painted pictures with them and some of them were so good! And I am so impressed with the way they interact with each other as well, like a family. The concept of family here in Tanzania is so much different from that in North America - not in a better or worse way, but just different. Sawa sawa, lakini tafaoti (same same, but different!). I love how everyone is a sister, brother, or cousin. I love how you are automatically born into a support system woven together with blood and non-blood "relatives". I love how a village will raise a child, if there is no one else to care for that child. And I love love love how even though I am pale white, with blonde hair and obviously Caucasian features, I am a dada (sister)!